Closure for a container

ABSTRACT

A closure for a container which comprises a cap ( 1 ) and a locking ring ( 2 ), the cap being adapted in use to sealably engage the opening ( 3 ) of the outlet neck ( 4 ) of a container ( 5 ); and the locking ring being adapted in use to be mounted over the outlet neck of the container and slidable between first and second positions, such that in use in the first position, the locking ring engages the cap and thereby prevents disengagement of the cap from the opening of the container and in the second position, the locking ring is (a) disengaged from the cap thereby allowing the cap to disengage the opening of the outlet neck and (b) retained in the second position on the outlet neck of the container.

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus and inparticular to a closure for a container.

Closures for containers are known which have tamper evident and/ortamper proof features. Such features may be provided for safety reasons,for example closures for containers which are used with drugs or harmfulsubstances.

Closures are known which comprise a cap having a retaining ring which isfrangibly connected to the cap and disengaged therefrom by unscrewingthe cap. For such closures, the force required to disengage the ringfrom the cap can be variable and may be unacceptably high in some cases.Furthermore, once the cap and ring have been disengaged, the rings ofsuch closures are loose fitting and therefore relatively easy to remove.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,268 relates to a pilfer-proof closure for use withcontainers having a threaded neck and a collar. The closure has aflexible locking member attached to the inside of the closure body byfrangible connectors. When the cap is unscrewed from the container, thelocking member is broken off from the threaded portion of the closureand left around the neck of the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,791 relates to a band with lock ring fortamper-evident cap. The band locks with rupturable bridges which hold atamper-evident band in place such that when the bridges break the lockring causes the tamper-evident band to drop down on the container neck.In the embodiment shown, the rupturable bridges are broken when the capis unscrewed from the container.

GB1531783 relates to a safety closure for bottles; The bottles have aneck with an upper portion threaded in one direction and a lower portionof larger diameter than the upper portion, threaded in the oppositedirection. When the cap is unscrewed, a safety ring is screwed down onits thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,639 relates to a child resistant closure. Theclosure is used with a container having a neck with an integralyieldable collar. Manual pressure on the collar releases interengagedprojection and recess means to enable retrograde movement of the capfrom the neck of the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,379 relates to a bottle safety closure in whichracheting one-way engagement relation which develops between the bottleand cap in the closed position, may be disengaged by finger-actuatedaxial depression of a projection.

Therefore, there remains a need, for an improved closure for a container

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a closure fora container which comprises a cap and a locking ring; the cap beingadapted in use to sealably engage the opening of the outlet neck of acontainer; and the locking ring being adapted in use to be mounted overthe outlet neck of said container and slidable between first and secondpositions, such that in use in the first position, the locking ringengages said cap and thereby prevents disengagement of said cap fromsaid opening of said container and in the second position, the lockingring is (a) disengaged from said cap thereby allowing said cap todisengage the opening of said outlet neck and (b) retained in the secondposition on the outlet neck of said container.

One advantage of the present invention is that the position of thelocking ring can provide visible evidence of whether the closure hasbeen at least partially disengaged from the container. A furtheradvantage of the present invention is that the locking ring is retainedin the second position on the outlet neck of the container therebydeterring and/or impeding replacement of the closure on the containerwith a new or alternative closure. These advantages have the benefit ofdeterring counterfeiters and also deterring or hindering unauthorisedre-use of the container in combination with a new or alternativeclosure. However, once the locking ring and cap have been disengaged,the cap may still be re-engaged with the container without re-engagingthe locking ring, thereby allowing authorised re-use of the container.

Preferably, the cap has a screw thread which in use, co-operates with acorresponding screw thread on the outlet neck of the container. The capmay sealably engage and disengage the opening of the outlet neck byscrewing and unscrewing respectively the cap. The ability of the cap toscrew and unscrew is however determined by the position of the lockingring. Thus, when the locking ring is in the first (locking) position,the locking ring engages the cap and prevents it from being unscrewedfrom the container; in the second (unlocked) position the locking ringis disengaged from the cap thereby allowing it to be unscrewed from thecontainer.

The locking ring may engage and disengage the cap by means of one ormore co-operating locking lugs and recesses. Thus, the cap may have oneor more locking lugs which are adapted to engage corresponding lockingrecesses of the locking ring. Alternatively, the cap may have one ormore locking recesses which are adapted to engage corresponding lockinglugs of the locking ring. With more than one locking lug andcorresponding locking recesses, the cap may have one or more lockinglugs and one or more locking recesses and the locking ring may have oneor more corresponding locking recesses and lugs.

Preferably, the locking ring has one or more, preferably two or morelocking lugs. Typically, the locking ring has from 2 to 24 locking lugs,preferably from 2 to 16 locking lugs, for example 4 or 6 locking lugs.The cap has a corresponding number of locking recesses.

Preferably, the cap has a tubular part which in use, engages the neck ofthe container and more preferably, the cap has locking recesses in theform of longitudinal slots in the tubular part.

More preferably, the cap has a tubular part which has a screw threadwhich in use, co-operates with a corresponding screw thread on theoutlet neck of the container. Preferably, the tubular part has a screwthread on its inner surface which co-operates with a corresponding screwthread on the outer surface of the outlet neck of the container(so-called, “screw-on cap”). Alternatively, the tubular part has a screwthread on its outer surface which co-operates with a corresponding screwthread on the inner surface of the outlet neck of the container(so-called, “screw-in cap”). Subject to the slidable position of thelocking ring, the cap may sealably engage and disengage the opening ofthe outlet neck of the container by screwing and unscrewing respectivelythe cap. In this embodiment, the tubular part preferably has one ormore, typically, from 2 to 24 slots, preferably from 2 to 16 slots, forexample 4 or 6 slots which in a first slidable position of the lockingring, engage corresponding locking lugs on the locking ring and therebyprevent disengagement of the cap from the opening of the container. Withthe locking ring in the second slidable position, the slots of the capare disengaged from the locking lugs of the locking ring therebyallowing the cap to be unscrewed and disengage the opening of the outletneck of the container.

The cap may be manufactured of one or more plastics materials. Suitably,the plastics material may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, for examplecomprising polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer. A suitablepolypropylene copolymer may be a propylene/ethylene copolymer, forexample containing 5-15% polyethylene. The cap may be manufactured usinginjection moulding or compression moulding.

The cap may be manufactured of one or more differently coloured plasticsmaterials.

The cap may be manufacturer from more than one plastics material, forexample from a thermoplastics material and a thermoplastic elastomermaterial. The thermoplastic elastomer material may be flexible andthereby assist in sealing the cap against the neck of the container.Suitable thermoplastic elastomer materials may comprise thermoplasticrubber and/or semi rubber materials. A suitable thermoplastic rubbermaterial is Santoprene® available from Advanced Elastomeric Systems orequivalent. Suitably, the cap may comprise 10-40% by weightthermoplastic elastomer material. The cap may be manufactured from morethan one plastics material by sequential co-injection moulding forexample in which a first plastics material (e.g. polypropylenethermoplastic copolymer) is injected into a mould which is then rotatedand then a second plastic material (e.g. thermoplastic rubber material)is injected into the mould.

The cap may be moulded to include a trade mark, logo or otherdistinguishing feature. The cap may printed and/or labelled with a trademark, logo or other distinguishing feature. The printing may be uvprinting. The labelling may be external or mould labelling. These havean advantage of further deterring counterfeiting. The cap may be of asingle colour or multi-coloured. The trademark, logo or otherdistinguishing feature may of the same colour and/or material as therest of the cap or a different colour and/or material as the rest of thecap.

The cap may also comprise a wag, which is an insert of flexible materialwhich in use, sealably engages the outlet of the container. The wag maycomprise a flexible membrane. The wag may comprise more than one layer.Suitably the wag comprises a layer of polyethylene foam and a layer ofaluminium. The layer of aluminium may be inductive sealed to the outletof the container and may further have a trade mark, logo or otherdistinguishing feature thereon.

An advantage of a screw-in type cap is that it may not require a wag.

The locking ring is adapted in use to be mounted over the outlet neck ofsaid container and slidable between first and second positions.

Preferably, the locking ring has one or more outer lugs by which it maybe slid from the first to the second position thereby disengaging itfrom the cap and allowing the cap to disengage the opening of the outletneck. Typically, the locking ring has from 2 to 24 outer lugs,preferably from 2 to 8 outer lugs, for example 4 or 6 outer lugs.

The locking ring is adapted to be retained in the second position on theoutlet neck of the container when in use, it has been slidably moved tothe second position. This has an advantage that the locking ring whenretained in the second position on the outlet neck of the container candeter and/or impede replacement of the closure on the container with anew or alternative closure. Furthermore, this has a benefit of deterringcounterfeiters and also deterring or hindering unauthorised re-use ofthe container in combination with a new or alternative closure. Thus,although closures are known which comprise a cap having a retaining ringwhich is frangibly connected to the cap and disengaged therefrom byunscrewing the cap, when the cap and ring are disengaged, the rings ofsuch closures are not retained by the outlet neck but are loose fittingand therefore relatively easy to remove. The closure of the presentinvention however, has a locking ring which is retained in the secondposition on the outlet neck of the container, making it harder to removeand thereby providing an advantageous deterrence and impediment toreplacement of the closure on the container with a new or alternativeclosure as well as deterring and hindering un-authorised re-use of thecontainer with a new or alternative closure. However, once the lockingring and cap have been disengaged, the cap may still be re-engaged withthe container without re-engaging the locking ring, thereby allowingauthorised re-use of the container.

Preferably, the locking ring may be adapted to be retained in the secondposition by one or more co-operating retaining lugs and retainingrecesses. Thus, the locking ring may have one or more retaining lugswhich are adapted to engage corresponding retaining recesses of theoutlet neck of the container. Alternatively, the locking ring may haveone or more retaining recesses which are adapted to engage correspondingretaining lugs of the outlet neck of the container. With more than oneretaining lug and corresponding retaining recesses, the locking ring mayhave one or more retaining lugs and one or more retaining recesses andthe container may have one or more corresponding retaining recesses andretaining lugs.

Preferably, the locking ring has one or more, preferably two or moreretaining recesses. Typically, the locking ring has from 2 to 24retaining recesses, preferably from 2 to 16 retaining recesses, forexample 4 or 6 retaining recesses. The container has a correspondingnumber of retaining lugs.

When the locking ring is slid to the second position this may expose alogo or other distinguishing feature on the cap and/or container whichmay indicate that the closure has been used.

When the locking ring is in the first position and engaged with the cap,the retaining recesses and retaining lugs may be at least partiallyengaged thereby preventing the cap from being unscrewed from thecontainer.

The locking ring of the present invention when in the first position andengaged with the cap, helps prevent leakage of material out from thecontainer and/or contamination of the material in the container withcontaminants passing into the container.

Preferably, the locking ring has retaining lugs and/or retainingrecesses on a flexible part of the ring, which when the locking ring isslidably moved into the second position flexes to allow the retainingrecesses and corresponding lugs to engage, hereby retaining the lockingring in the second position. The flexible part of the locking ring maybe manufactured of one or more thermoplastic elastomer materials.Suitable thermoplastic elastomer materials may comprise thermoplasticrubber and/or semi rubber materials. A suitable thermoplastic rubbermaterial is Santoprene® available from Advanced Elastomeric Systems orequivalent.

The locking ring may be manufactured of one or more plastics materials.Suitably, the plastics material may comprise a thermoplastic polymer,for example comprising polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer. Asuitable polypropylene copolymer may be a propylene/ethylene copolymer,for example containing 5-15% polyethylene.

The locking ring may be manufactured using injection moulding orcompression moulding.

The locking ring may be manufactured of one or more differently colouredplastics materials.

The locking ring may be manufacturer from more than one plasticsmaterial, for example from a thermoplastics material and a thermoplasticelastomer material. The thermoplastic elastomer material may be flexibleand thereby assist in sealing the closure against the outlet neck of thecontainer. Suitable thermoplastic elastomer materials may comprisethermoplastic rubber and/or semi rubber materials. A suitablethermoplastic rubber material is Santoprene® available from AdvancedElastomeric Systems or equivalent. The locking ring may be manufacturedfrom more than one plastics material by sequential co-injection mouldingfor example in which a first plastics material (e.g. polypropylenethermoplastic copolymer) is injected into a mould which is then rotatedand then a second plastic material (e.g. thermoplastic rubber material)is injected into the mould.

An advantage of using thermoplastic elastomeric materials for at leastpart of the locking ring, is that these may impart a non-slip feel,especially to the outer lugs, facilitating pushing of the locking ringfrom the first to the second positions to open the closure, especiallyif the person opening the closure has wet or oily hands.

Thus, the following terms are used herein as followings:

-   -   locking lugs and recesses: lugs and recesses by which the        locking ring and cap may engage and disengage;    -   outer lugs: lugs by which the locking ring may be slid from the        first to the second position;    -   retaining lugs and recesses: lugs and recesses by which the        locking ring is retained in its second position on the outlet        neck of the container;

The container may be any suitable container having an outlet neck andopening therein. The container is preferably suitable for containingliquids. Typically, the container is suitable for containing liquidssuch as lubricating oils especially automotive lubricating oils, e.g.hydrocarbon or synthetic lubricating oils. The container is alsosuitable for containing liquids such as harmful or dangerous chemicalssuch as fuel additives, anti-freeze compositions, brake fluids and thelike.

Preferably, the container is manufactured of plastics material. Theplastics material may comprise one or more polyolefins, optionally incombination with other polymers. Suitable polyolefins include highdensity polyethylene and polypropylene. The container may be of one ormore colours. The container may be labelled and/or printed (for exampleuv printed). Suitable containers range in size from 100 ml. to 50litres, for example 100 ml, 250 ml, 1 litre, 5 litre and 7.5 litrebottles and 15 litre, 20 litre and 50 litre drums.

The closure and container may be printed and/or labelled with batchnumbers and/or other identification marks, for example with part of thenumber and/or mark on the closure and the remaining part on an adjacentpart of the container.

The invention will now be described by Way of example only and withreference to FIGS. 1 to 6 in which

FIG. 1 represents general disassembled view, a cap and a locking ringaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 2 represents general assembled view, a cap and a locking ringaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 3 represents in general view, a container with a closure accordingto the present invention with the cap sealing the opening of thecontainer's outlet neck and with the locking ring in the first slidableposition,

FIG. 4 represents in general view, a container with a closure accordingto the present invention with the locking ring in the second slidableposition,

FIG. 5 represents in general view, a container with a closure accordingto the present invention with the locking ring in the second slidableposition and the cap disengaging the opening of the container's outletneck and

FIG. 6 represents in general view, a container with a closure accordingto the present invention with the locking ring in the second slidableposition and the cap having been removed from the opening of thecontainer's outlet neck.

Referring to the drawings, the closure of the present inventioncomprises a cap (1) and a locking ring (2); the cap (1) being adapted inuse to sealably engage the opening (3) of the outlet neck (4) of acontainer (5); and the locking ring (2) being adapted in use to bemounted over the outlet neck (4) of the container (5) and slidablebetween first and second positions, such that in use in the firstposition, the locking ring (2) engages said cap (1) and thereby preventsdisengagement of the cap (1) from the opening (3) of the container (5)and in the second position, the locking ring (2) is disengaged from thecap (1) thereby allowing said cap (1) to disengage the opening (3) ofthe outlet neck (4).

The cap may be manufacturer from more than one plastics material, forexample from a thermoplastics material and a thermoplastic elastomermaterial. The thermoplastic elastomer material may be flexible andthereby assist in sealing the cap against the outlet neck of thecontainer. Part (20) of the cap may be of a thermoplastic elastomermaterial which may facilitate improved grip, especially if the user haswet or oily hands. The cap may be manufactured from more than oneplastics material by sequential co-injection moulding for example inwhich a first plastics material (e.g. polypropylene thermoplasticcopolymer) is injected into a mould which is then rotated and then asecond plastic material (e.g. thermoplastic rubber material) is injectedinto the mould.

The cap is manufactured with a trade mark (11). The cap (1) has atubular part (6) which has a screw thread (7) which in use, co-operateswith a corresponding screw thread (8) on the outlet neck (4) of thecontainer (5). Subject to the slidable position of the locking ring (2),the cap (1) may sealably engage and disengage the opening (3) of theoutlet neck (4) of the container (5) by screwing and unscrewingrespectively the cap (1).

The cap has a wag insert (21) comprised of a layer of polyethylene foamand a layer of aluminium, the latter may be conductive sealed to theoutlet of the container.

The tubular part (6) has locking recesses in the form of slots (9) whichin a first slidable position of the locking ring (shown generally inFIG. 3), engage corresponding locking lugs (10) on the locking ring (asshown in FIG. 2) and thereby prevent disengagement of the cap from theopening (3) of the container (5). With the locking ring in the secondslidable position as shown generally in FIG. 4, the slots (9) of the capare disengaged from the locking lugs (10) of the locking ring therebyallowing the cap to be unscrewed (as shown generally in FIG. 5) anddisengage the opening of the outlet neck of the container, as showngenerally in FIG. 6.

The locking ring has 4 outer lugs (12) which may be used to slide thelocking ring from the first to the second positions.

The locking ring has 4 retaining recesses (13) (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)which engage corresponding retaining lugs (14) on the outlet neck of thecontainer (shown in FIG. 3) when the locking ring is slidably moved (asshown in FIG. 4) to the second position.

The retaining recesses (13) of the locking ring (2) are on a flexiblepart (15) of the ring (shown in FIG. 2) which, when the locking ring isslidably moved into the second position, flexes to allow the retainingrecesses (13) and corresponding retaining lugs (14) to engage, herebyretaining the locking ring (2) in the second position on the outlet neckof the container (shown generally in FIGS. 5 and 6). The flexible part(15) of the locking ring may be manufactured of one or morethermoplastic elastomer materials. Suitable thermoplastic elastomermaterials may comprise thermoplastic rubber and/or semi rubbermaterials. A suitable thermoplastic rubber material is Santoprene®available from Advanced Elastomeric Systems. The locking ring (2) may bemanufactured of one or more plastics materials. The locking ring may bemanufactured from more than one plastics material by sequentialco-injection moulding for example in which a first plastics material(e.g. polypropylene thermoplastic copolymer) is injected into a mouldwhich is then rotated and then a second plastic material (e.g.thermoplastic rubber material) is injected into the mould.

When the locking ring (2) is in the first position and engaged with thecap (1), the retaining recesses (13) and retaining lugs (14) may be atleast partially engaged thereby preventing the cap from being unscrewedfrom the container.

In use, the container is sealed by the cap and the locking lugs (10) ofthe locking ring (2) engage the locking recesses (slots) (9) on thetubular part of the cap (1) as shown generally in FIG. 3. To remove thecap and open the container, the locking ring is slidably moved to thesecond position by pressing down on one or more of the outer lugs (12)on the locking ring (2) as shown generally in FIG. 4. This disengagesthe slots (9) on the cap (1) and the locking lugs (10) on the lockingring (2). The locking ring is also moved slidably down the outlet neckof the container so that the retaining recesses (13) on the flexiblepart (15) of the locking ring (2) engage the corresponding retaininglugs (14) on the outlet neck of the container and retain the lockingring in the second position. This has an advantage that the locking ringwhen retained in the second position can deter and/or impede replacementof the closure on the container with a new or alternative closure.Furthermore, this has a benefit of deterring counterfeiters and alsodeterring or hindering unauthorised re-use of the container incombination with a new or alternative closure.

When the locking ring is in the second position as shown in FIGS. 4 to6, the locking lugs (10) and slots (9) are disengaged and the cap (1) isfree to be unscrewed from the outlet neck of the container, as showngenerally in FIG. 5. The cap may thus be disengaged from the opening (3)of the outlet neck (4) of the container (5) and removed, whilst thelocking ring (2) is retained on the outlet neck of the container, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The container as shown in the drawings may be used for liquids.Typically, the container is suitable for containing liquids such aslubricating oils especially automotive lubricating oils, e.g.hydrocarbon or synthetic lubricating oils. The container is alsosuitable for containing liquids such as harmful or dangerous chemicalssuch as fuel additives, anti-freeze compositions, brake fluids and thelike.

1. A closure for a container which comprises a cap and a locking ring;the cap being adapted in use to sealably engage the opening of theoutlet neck of a container; and the locking ring being adapted in use tobe mounted over the outlet neck of said container and slidable betweenfirst and second positions, such that in use in the first position, thelocking ring engages said cap and thereby prevents disengagement of saidcap from said opening of said container and in the second position, thelocking ring is (a) disengaged from said cap thereby allowing said capto disengage the opening of said outlet neck and (b) retained in thesecond position on the outlet neck of said container.
 2. A closure asclaimed in claim 1 in which, the cap has a screw thread which in use,co-operates with a corresponding screw thread on the outlet neck of thecontainer.
 3. A closure as claimed in claim 1 having one or moreco-operating locking lugs and recesses to engage the locking ring andcap.
 4. A closure as claimed in claim 3 in which the cap has one or morelocking lugs which are adapted to engage corresponding locking recessesof the locking ring and/or the cap has one or more locking recesseswhich are adapted to engage corresponding locking lugs of the lockingring.
 5. A closure as claimed in claim 4 in which the cap has a tubularpart which in use, engages the neck of the container and the cap haslocking recesses in the form of longitudinal slots in the tubular part.6. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the cap is manufactured ofone or more plastics materials.
 7. A closure as claimed in claim 6 inwhich the cap is manufactured from a thermoplastics material and athermoplastic elastomer material.
 8. A closure as claimed in claim 6 inwhich the cap is manufactured from more than one plastics material bysequential co-injection moulding.
 9. A closure as claimed in claim 1 inwhich the locking ring has one or more, typically 2 to 24, preferably 2to 8, for example 4 or 6, outer lugs by which it may be slid from thefirst to the second position thereby disengaging it from the cap andallowing the cap to disengage the opening of the outlet neck.
 10. Aclosure as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking ring is adapted to beretained in the second position by one or more co-operating retaininglugs and retaining recesses.
 11. A closure as claimed in claim 10 inwhich the locking ring has one or more retaining lugs which are adaptedto engage corresponding retaining recesses of the outlet neck of thecontainer and/or the locking ring has one or more retaining recesseswhich are adapted to engage corresponding retaining lugs of the outletneck of the container.
 12. A closure as claimed in claim 11 in which thelocking ring has retaining lugs and/or retaining recesses on a flexiblepart of the ring, which when the locking ring is slidably moved into thesecond position flexes to allow the retaining recesses and correspondinglugs to engage, hereby retaining the locking ring in the secondposition.
 13. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking ringis manufactured of one or more plastics materials.
 14. A container witha closure as claimed in claim
 1. 15. A container as claimed in claim 14whenever containing liquids such as lubricating oils, especiallyautomotive lubricating oils, for example hydrocarbon or syntheticlubricating oils.
 16. A container as claimed in claim 14 whenevercontaining liquids such as fuel additives, anti-freeze compositions,brake fluids and the like.
 17. A closure as claimed in claim 4 in whichthe locking ring is adapted to be retained in the second position by oneor more co-operating retaining lugs and retaining recesses.
 18. Aclosure as claimed in claim 17 in which the locking ring has one or moreretaining lugs which are adapted to engage corresponding retainingrecesses of the outlet neck of the container and/or the locking ring hasone or more retaining recesses which are adapted to engage correspondingretaining lugs of the outlet neck of the container.
 19. A closure asclaimed in claim 18 in which the locking ring has retaining lugs and/orretaining recesses on a flexible part of the ring, which when thelocking ring is slidably moved into the second position flexes to allowthe retaining recesses and corresponding lugs to engage, herebyretaining the locking ring in the second position.
 20. A closure asclaimed in claim 9 in which the locking ring is adapted to be retainedin the second position by one or more co-operating retaining lugs andretaining recesses.
 21. A closure as claimed in claim 20 in which thelocking ring has one or more retaining lugs which are adapted to engagecorresponding retaining recesses of the outlet neck of the containerand/or the locking ring has one or more retaining recesses which areadapted to engage corresponding retaining lugs of the outlet neck of thecontainer.
 22. A closure as claimed in claim 21 in which the lockingring has retaining lugs and/or retaining recesses on a flexible part ofthe ring, which when the locking ring is slidably moved into the secondposition flexes to allow the retaining recesses and corresponding lugsto engage, hereby retaining the locking ring in the second position 23.A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking ring ismanufactured of one or more plastics materials.
 24. A closure as claimedin claim 10 in which the locking ring is manufactured of one or moreplastics materials.
 25. A closure as claimed in claim 12 in which thelocking ring is manufactured of one or more plastics materials.
 26. Acontainer with a closure as claimed in claim
 10. 27. A container with aclosure as claimed in claim 12.